USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, together with historic notes on the Wabash Valley; gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic sources > Part 82
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SHANNONDALE.
This village is situated in the southeast corner of Franklin township, on the eastern line, which is also the eastern boundary of Montgomery county, forming the line between ranges 2 and 3 W., and on the main branch of Middle fork, sometimes called Muskrat creek. It was platted May 10, 1851, by Isaac Lane and George A. Woods. There · has been one addition to the original plat. The first goods sold in the- village were by an old gentleman who carried his first stock and ad- ditional supplies in a pair of large leather saddle-bags, from Crawfords- ville. The first store of a general assortment of goods was opened by Messrs. Webster and Parny. The present dealer in general merchan- dise is Nathan Shannon. There is a steam saw-mill in the neighbor- hood, run by Mr. McClellen. There is an honorable representation of the medical fraternity in the village, Doctors James Shannon, William.
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H. Burris, and Joseph A. Rudder. Mail matter comes but twice a weck. The office is under the supervision of Mr. Nathan Shannon.
The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows have established a lodge in the village for the convenience of members in this vicinity. It was organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge of the State of In- diana. Many of the best citizens of the surrounding country have become identified with this lodge, which is in a prosperous condition, and stands favorably with adjacent lodges of the same order.
The Presbyterians have an organization here which was in good healthy working condition in the early history of the village, and have built a comfortable house for worship.
A short distance west of the village is the noted mound of the pre- historic days, the remains of an ancient lake, and the " Big Boulder," the rural pulpit of the pioneer orators. This was a place of resort in early times where the people congregated on days of public celebra- tions and listened to the oratorical strains that flowed from the lips of eminent men whose feet pressed the flinty rostrum which nature had provided in anticipation of American free speech and public conven- tions; and the speakers of the occasion had the satisfactory assurance that, whatever element the speeches might lack, they had a substantial foundation. It is quite evident that some mighty force has cleft the rock in twain, but whether bursts of elocutionary eloquence, or the surges of natural forces has caused the rupture, the state geologist has not informed us.
RELIGIOUS SECTS.
The Methodist Episcopal church has well sustained her reputation for pioneering, by her early work in the forest of Franklin township. There were but few families settled in this part of Montgomery county, and when only a few clearings had been made in the dense forest the advance guard of Methodism was seen advancing to the great moral " battle of the wilderness." The plainly clad and rugged circuit rider with saddle-bags, carrying books in one side and a few necessary arti- cles of clothing in the other, pushed his way manfully through the heavy forests, forded streams, sometimes following a single path, at other times lost in the wilderness, and had to travel many miles with- ont sceing a house, or a break in the dense forest.
The first preaching was in the small cabin houses that were usually built as small as could be, to meet the demands of the family, one room serving the purpose of kitchen, parlor, sleeping-room and meet- ing house. Preaching was at different hours and days to accommodate the convenience of the circuit rider; usually, however, on week days, as he had to travel hundreds of miles around his circuit, preaching al-
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most every day, sometimes twice and three times. The farmer would walk for miles, in a path made by the blazing of trees in his way, to these meetings, having left his work, taking gun in hand, that perchance he might shoot a deer or wild turkey on the way. The rifles were stacked in one corner of the room, often at the side of the huge fire- place back of where the preacher stood. After preaching, would be held the old-style class meeting peculiar to carly Methodism. The roll would be called, all were marked, the delinquents and siek reported, for whom prayers were offered. After the class meeting, which was mostly an enjoyable occasion, where experience was given, the brethren buckled on their belts, with knife, powder-horn and bullet-pouch, plunged into the tangled woods, and made the best time they could to- ward the little log huts here and there in the forest, some on the banks of a small stream, others near a fountain, where the families of the rugged men were watching anxiously for the coming of the hus- band and father. As related to the writer by an old minister, the win- dows of these cabins were made by removing part of one log, and the space filled with oiled paper held in place by slips of wood, which served a double purpose, to prevent outsiders from looking in as well as giving light to the inmates. But these windows did not give suffi- cient light for the preacher to see to read. So in some of the homes there was part of a log fixed to revolve; when the minister was ready to read he would turn the log, and the light would come in on his book while reading. At the close of his hymn or chapter he would turn round and close up his window to keep the cold out. In the summer and autumn seasons meetings were held out of doors in the shadows of the forest, and before the building of any house of wor- ship within the boundary of Franklin township. A camp ground was located not far from the center of the township, where yearly camp meetings were held, to which many came with their tents and provis- ions from many miles around the county. The influence of one of these old-time camp meetings was felt upon society throughout all cen- tral Indiana. This camp ground was abandoned about the year 1840, as the society had long since built a commodious house of worship.
The first Methodist preaching was probably done by Richard Har- grave, in the cabin house of Ruben Nickles, in the vicinity of Dar- lington. The first society of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized south of the center of the township some time before 1828. Among the families who entered into this organization, or very soon after became members, were Joseph Stewart and family, Isaac Willcox and wife, Thomas Scott and wife, James McClaskey and wife, and John Venosdall and wife. The only member living who went into
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the society on its organization is Mrs. Stewart, the wife of Joseph Stewart, who was among the first settlers of this township, and has lived to see all of her associates in this first society pass away. This society built the first Methodist meeting-house in this part of Mont- gomery county in the summer of 1828, on Big Run, which is known as the Salem Church. In the early days of this society the people attended this place of worship from eight and ten miles around. There have gone out from this society a number of young ministers who were consecrated around her altars. Among these we have the pleasure to mention Rev. Wm. R. Mikles, of North Indiana conference, and Rev. H. O. Hoffman, of the Illinois conference. They were licensed to preach at the same quarterly conference, held at Hopewell church in 1856, Rev. John L. Smith, P.E., and Rev. Wm. Campbell, preacher in charge. There was another licensed at the same time whose name the writer cannot give. Isaac Willcox entered the land on which the house was built, and donated it to the society, of which he was one of the first members. An amusing anecdote is told of this man in the " Sketches and Incidents of Franklin Township," in the following pages. About 1856 the old log house was superseded by a new frame, which was built under the pastoral services of Rev. Wm. Campbell, pastor, and Rev. John L. Smith, P.E., who dedicated the church ac- cording to the usages of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The society at Darlington was organized some time in 1830, and worshiped in a log school-house until about 1841 or 1842, when by a union effort of the New School Presbyterians and the Methodists, a frame edifice was erected for religious purposes, and was occupied by the two societies for nearly thirty years. In 1870 the present church was built, and was dedicated by Bishop Bowman, under the pastoral charge of Rev. James Sphinx. There were appointed as trustees and building committee J. J. Banker, James Hall, E. P. McClaskey, Jack- son Mong, Henry Hoffman, and Wm. H. H. Smith. The present board of trustees are Wm. H. H. Smith, Montgomery Custer, Dr. J. E. G. Naylor and J. M. Hollingsworth. The present official board of the society are W. H. H. Smith and James McMillan ; A. French, class-leader ; W. H. H. Smith, superintendent of Sabbath-school, and Rev. J. Harrison, pastor.
The first preaching in Franklin township by ministers of the Presby- terian church was in an early day, in school-houses and private dwellings. There was occasional preaching in the early settlements, of which we have no definite account, and many of the older inhabitants having died whose early membership was Union township, much interesting matter has been lost. There were members of both the Old and New Schools of
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Presbyterians. In the northwest part of the township was organized the first society, and was associated with the labors of Rev. James Johnson, of Crawfordsville. Between 1845 and 1850 a movement was inaugurated to unite the members of the Presbyterian church in the or- ganization of a society in Darlington, and to build a house of worship. There was no church edifice in the village at the time, and it was proposed that if the community would assist in the erection of the proposed building, all Christian denominations should have the use of the same. The church was dedicated about 1850, and was the only one in the village until 1860. The Presbyterians and Methodists occupied the same until 1870, when the Methodists built a house for their own use. The house was built and dedicated under the labors of Rev. James Johnson, of Crawfordsville. Among the families who entered into this organization may be mentioned Dr. Higgins and family, Cal- vin Armstrong and wife, William Buchanon and wife, M. Irven and family, Abraham Casner and wife, Robert Gordon and wife, and Mrs. Sarah Carson. Elders appointed were Calvin Armstrong and Robert Gordon. Abraham Casner was made deacon. A union Sabbath-school was organized and continued for two years. The church was served by some eminent ministers, while part of the time since the organiza- tion the pulpit has been vacant, but the church has continued its society meetings. The first pastor who served the society was its founder, the Rev. James Johnson, of Crawfordsville, who served one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Evens, who continued in the pastorate for one year. The next pastor, Rev. C. K. Thompson, preached for them five years, after which Revs. John L. Martin and R. T. Patterson rendered occa- sional service. The Rev. James Gilcrist filled the pastorate in 1872, during which time the society built a new place of worship on the site of the old one, which was removed into the business part of the village and refitted for a store-room. The present house is a substantial brick structure, finished in modern style. Since the building of the new house the church has been under the pastoral care of Rev. James Gil- crist, as before stated, and Rev. John Hawks, Rev. W. Loucks, and Rev. Steel, whose services closed September 1880.
The church has a Sunday-school organization in good working order, with promising prosperity. John Hiatt is the present superintendent.
The first preaching in Franklin township, according to the prin- ciples and manner of teaching of Alexander Campbell, was done by Michael Combs in the house of John Harland about 1827. He was afterward assisted by his brother, Job Combs, who also rode through the wilderness visiting the homes of the pioneers, and preaching in their cabins to the few that could be called together to hear the word.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
A few years after the first preaching by Mr. Combs, Mr. John Ocane, the great pioneer evangelist of this order of christians, came like a flame of fire through the forest, and kindled a light on many a hearth-stone that has never gone ont. The establishment of this branch of christian worshipers was largely through the early labors of this remarkable man. He did his first preaching in this community at the house of John Harland, and also at the house of Geo. W. Harland, in the village of Darlington. Then came John New, the father J. C. New, proprietor of the Indianapolis "Journal." After this came Joseph Gilbreth, William Young, and George Campbell. In the meantime a society * had been constituted in Union township, to which those of the faith about the village belonged. After their numbers increased until they could sustain an organization a church was erected in Darlington, Jan- uary 23, 1864, during the labors of Elder James Davis, of Thorntown. The families who became members of the first society were William Harland and family ; J. H. Ramey and family ; Daniel Daugherty and family ; A. Perkin and wife; S. Peterson and wife; Solomon Peter- son and wife; and Harrison McDaniel and wife. These, with some others whose names we cannot give at this writing, were the constitu- tional members of the Darlington society.
The first board of officers was composed of three elders, two dea- cons, and clerk. Ruling elder, Daniel Daugherty, assisted by Wm. Harland, and Thomas Lackey, deacons; John H. Ramey, acting church clerk.
The place of worship was commenced in 1860, and finished in the next year. It is a frame, 34×48, constructed by Willian G. Harland, and dedicated by Rev. Samuel Auterman, under the pastoral labors of Elder Joseph Galbreth. The board of trustees were Silas Peterson, John H. Ramey, and William Harland; board of elders, Wm. G. Har- land (senior elder), Thomas Lackey, Wm. Hayes, and John Guntle; deacons, George W. Booker, James Wisehart; and Richard .C. Jack- man, clerk.
The Unitarian Christian church was organized and a house of wor- ship built in 1856, three miles southeast of Darlington. This society had a commanding influence in the community among many of the leading families of early settlers, and dates its origin to the labors of Rev. John Ocane and others, who were the founders of the denomina- tion above mentioned, for their rise was identical and associated with the same causes and influences. The distinctive canses giving rise to the church under consideration were of more recent origin in this vicinity. During the rebellion dissensions arose which resulted in a division of the society. In 1864 the church building, which had be-
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come a bone of contention, was burned, and the society left destitute of a place of worship. That division known as the "Union party " made provisions for a new house. It was built in Darlington during the summer of 1870, in which they reorganized and continued their church services. That part of the membership that remained at Center Grove purchased the church building belonging to the United Brethren. This house stands in the neighborhood of the one burned. Here the members still worship.
The Lutheran church was represented in this township before there was a local organization by Rev. Dr. E. Rudisill, who was the first minister of this order who preached within the bounds of what is now embraced in Franklin township. He preached in a log school-house . two miles east of Darlington. Then came Rev. Hinkle, who preached in the same house, and visited the families who had been educated under Lutheran teaching before emigrating to this township. We regret that we cannot give the exact date of the formation of the first society, but it was at a very early day in the history of the township. Among the families entering into the first organized society were found some of the old settlers of the neighborhood : John Booker and family, Jacob Booker and family, Gurdeanis Booker and wife, John Guntle and family, and Samuel Deck and family ; Samuel Hawton and wife united soon after with others. This society was under the labors of Rev. E. Rudisell. The church has been served by Rev. Fair- child, Rev. John P. Livengood, and Rev. Stimwaltz. Rev. Lowery is now serving the people as pastor. The society built a frame church under the services of the founder, and in that day was regarded as rather extraordinarily fine.
The order of the Society of Friends constituted a church when the township was yet a wilderness. There were two neighborhoods of Friends. The first was settled in the southwest corner of the town- ship, on Sec. 30. The society was composed of pioneer families who came from Virginia, South Carolina and Kentucky. Among them are found the names of Peoples, Bradfords and Rice, Isaac Cadwalader, Mr. Hudson, and Levi Middleton. Their place-of worship was erected some time before 1830, some old citizens put it as early as 1826. A school-house was built near the church, in which a denominational school was founded, efficient teachers employed, and especial attention given to education.
The Darlington Society of Friends is associated in its formation and history with the descendants of Jeramiah Cox, who entered land in the section in which the village was afterward located, but died before emigrating to his new purchase. His sons, Enoch and Benjamin Cox,
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
settled on the land. They, with other prominent families, organized a society, and built a meeting-house one mile east of Darlington, a frame, divided into two apartments, separated by a folding door, to be opened in case of special need, with three doors in each room from the outside. Connected with this movement were Enoch Cox and family, Benjamin Cox and family, Jesse Curzey and wife, Joseph Moffit and family, and Henry Picket and family. The building is still standing, and occupied for religious services of the society. It is beautifully lo- cated on the gravel pike from Darlington to Thornton, one of the most pleasant drives in the county, and is surrounded by a forest grove, a level and grassy plat. On the same plat a school-house was built and used for a number of years, but is now dilapidated and abandoned.
The church of United Brethren was organized in this township about 1857, in Sec. 12, and built their house of worship near the line dividing Montgomery and Boone counties, known as the Brier Creek Church. Among the prominent men of this society, in the first years of its history, may be mentioned William A. Endicott and James Vale, who are now dead, and William Booker and James Cooper. The church is at present under the pastoral labors of Rev. Gleze. The presiding elder is Rev. New. This society has been zealous in its efforts for the general good of the community.
The same year (1857) in which this house was built, another so- ciety was formed, and a house built near the center of the township, at Center Grove. This was connected with the former as one pastoral charge for a number of years. About 1864 or 1865 the Center Grove building was sold to the Unitarian Christian Society, the members re- moving their membership to the first, or Brier Creek Church, as the distance between the two places of worship did not justify the continua- tion of both bodies. The members of the United Brethren church, in Franklin township, belong to the Brier Creek Society.
The Free Will Baptist church was formed in August, 1833, in the cabin home of William Mikles, three miles south of east of where Darlington now stands, at the place known as Center Grove. The families who enlisted in this work were William Mikles and family, Thomas Mikles and family, Joal Mikles and family, Abra- · ham Naylor and wife, William Sutton and family, and others. This society was constituted a church by the ministration of Rev. J. B. Austin and Rev. Swim. These ministers were probably the first of the denomination who preached within the bounds of this town- ship. At the same meeting when the church was organized William Mikles was ordained minister in the church, and served in this capacity for several years. This society never built a house for worship; they
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met in private cabins of the members until the Mikles school-house was built, when they removed their services to this place, which soon became known as the Baptist center for this part of Montgomery county.
After many years of prosperity the society declined, and on the or- ganization of the Christian society, which was rather an offspring of the same, they disbanded and have never since been known as a Bap- tist society. There are good citizens of Franklin township who owe much to the influences of this church in forming their characters in childhood.
LODGES AND SOCIETIES.
There is a lodge of Freemasons in the village of Darlington. The regular communication is on the night of the second Saturday be- fore full moon. They have fitted up a commodious lodge-room in the Academy building, which stands on an elevation on the south side of the village, and, the hall being situated on the third floor of the build- ing, the lodge occupies an exalted and retired position, where none can " molest or make afraid," while their light shines down upon the peaceable villages below. The present officers are Alaxander Harper, W.M .; Mr. Smith, S.W .; Mr. Deb. Deadham, J.W .; J. H. Stewart, Sec .; Reuben Faust, Treas. ; and J. A. Booker, Tyler. We regret that we are unable to give a satisfactory history of the origin and prog- ress of this lodge, for it is worthy and is represented by some of the best men in Darlington community. It was preceded by a former lodge that was chartered about 1840 or 1845, but after a historic life of some years it was discontinued. We have no facts respecting this pioneer lodge. The present lodge is an independent organization from the one of former days.
The Glenn Lodge, No. 149, of Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, was organized under charter granted July 20, 1854. The following gentlemen were the charter members to whom the above was issued, and who entered into the formation of this lodge, which was effected about August 1, 1854, namely : H. J. Webster, John J. Walker, G. D. Rutledge, James Palmer, and G. W. Sutton. The officers elected for the first term at the same meeting of the organization were H. J. Webster, N.G .; G. D. Rutledge, V.G .; R. A. Williamson, Sec .; G. W. Sutton, Treas. The present officers are W. H. H. Smith, N.G .; John McCaw, V.G .; W. S. Hubbard, Sec., and Taylor Hubbard, Treas. There is also a lodge of the same order in the village of Shannondale, in the southeast corner of the township, that is in a flourishing condition and sustained by many influential citizens of the village and adjacent neighborhoods. These two orders or lodges have
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
administered much to the relief of the suffering of her members and their families, and has well sustained the reputation she has long had in other parts of the country.
A lodge of Good Templars was organized in Darlington in 1878, but have discontinued their meetings and left the community without a temperance organization.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Robert C. Craig, farmer and stock raiser, Mace, came to this county in 1825, from Kentucky, when six years old, having been born in Har- rison county, that state, on June 11, 1819. His parents, Robert and Ann (Newell) Craig, on coming here, settled in Franklin township on the farm now owned by John Hutchings. His father was born in South Carolina, and was of Irish descent, while his mother, who was of Welsh parentage, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Craig received the rudiments of his education at one of the early schools, his teachers being Ben. Ristine and Robert Gordon. In 1843 he made a trip to Lynn county, Iowa, after a wife, and there married Miss Mary E. Downing, a young lady with whom he had become acquainted in this county. They have had nine children, only four of whom are now alive : Robert S., Armenia, Franklin T. and Henry A. His farm of 200 acres, which he improved and worked for, he has divided among his children, leaving himself 70 acres. He is a prominent man in the township, and has filled the office of trustee for several terms, and at present is candidate on the independent ticket for sheriff, he being one of the leading members of that party in the county. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and through life has been a consistent member of the Methodist church.
Robert A. Craig, farmer and stock raiser, Darlington. Among the early settlers of this part of the county the Craig family ranks among the first. The father of the subject of this biography having arrived here with his parents in 1823, from Kentucky, settled on the Nobles- ville road, and endured all the privations of pioneer life. Mr. R. A. Craig's parents, Hugh N. and Lucy (Brockman) Craig, were both born in Kentucky, and married in this county in 1826, their family consist- ing of three children : Marshall H. (now deceased), Elizabeth A., now living in Iowa, and Robert A. Mr. Craig received his education at the old log school-house, and during his life has been engaged prin- cipally in agricultural puruits, and is now one of the most enterprising and extensive farmers in this township. During the war he was con- scripted and went into camp for ten days, when he hired a substitute. On January 8, 1853, he married Miss Lydia Martz, whose parents were
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